Not coming to Nanjing? See here first
It seems to not be uncommon that even those who have spent many years living in China are still not 100-percent clear of the facts relating to police registration. Find in this guide explanations as to when and how to register online or at a local police station in China.
Remember that it is a legal requirement for all foreigners, including people from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, to register with the police within 24 hours of arrival in China. Failure to do so can result in fines of up to ¥2,000.
You do not need to register if staying in a hotel, as this is done for you by the reception staff upon check in.
If you run into trouble and need help, you may contact either the Nanjing Foreign Affairs Office or the Nanjing Entry-Exit Administration Bureau (also simply known as the Visa Office) using the details in our City Guide page via this link.
When must I Register?
- Every time you arrive in China (unless you are staying in a hotel or are returning on multiple-entry visa to the address registered in your valid visa and work permit; if you have changed your place of residence you must register every time you return from abroad, including Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan)
- Every time you change your place of residence
- Every time your visa is renewed
- Every time there is a change to your registration items required for the foreign national’s residence permit
How to Register Online with the Police in Nanjing
The online registration process, which is done within the super app, WeChat, is very easy and only takes a few minutes.
Step 1: Follow the official WeChat account of the Nanjing Police (南京公安).
Step 2: Press the option in the middle, “WeChat Service”, as shown in the image below.
Step 3: Press the option, “Entry & Exit”, and then choose, “Temporary Accommodation Registration for Overseas Personnel”, as shown below. You will then need to acknowledge by selecting, “I agree”, to continue to the next few pages, where both English and Chinese will be available, to fill in your information.
Step 4: Come back to check that your registration has been accepted by selecting, “Query registration results”. This can take anywhere from a few hours to a few days. Don’t worry about the 24-hour rule at this point. Once you are in the system, you are deemed to be registered.
Coming to a city in China other than Nanjing?
Many, but far from all, other major cities in China also have an online registration system. While they vary widely in terms of user experience, the process is often similar to above; look for city’s PSB official WeChat by searching “[city name]公安”, look for something resembling “服务” (services), followed by something beginning with “出入” (exit/entry”). And good luck! Back to top. Registering in person in cities other than Nanjing shall involve a procedure more or less identical to that outlined below.
How to Register in Person at Your Local Police Office in Nanjing
Firstly you will need to find out which is your local police station (派出所). The management office of the compound you are staying in should have this information. You may ask them to write the name of it down in Chinese, so you can easily show it to a taxi driver. Or they can help you to find it using a ride-hailing app. Before you head off to the station, prepare two copies of your passport (the page with identity information and the page with your visa).
Then you will need some of the following:
- Passport and valid visa
- Copy of rental agreement with landlord or flatmate
- Household Register or ID card of the Chinese resident in whose home you are staying
- Valid entry permit of the foreigner in whose home you are staying
When you arrive at the police station, you can say to one of the members of staff, “Deng ji” (登记; register), and they should point you to the correct counter. Here, you can present to them with your paperwork. From this point on, the whole registration process should only take a few minutes. They will enter all of your information into the system and then hand you back a form called “Registration Form of Temporary Residence” (临时住宿登记表). You will need to keep this form somewhere very safe. Make a copy of it.
Another thing to bear in mind is that if you have previously been staying in a hotel, they may in some cases, want proof of your stay. Ideally you will have a printed copy of your reservation, but if you have the name and address of the hotel this will usually suffice.
You officially have 24 hours to register after entering the country, though if you are staying with a friend for up to 3 days and then move to another location, you do not need to immediately register. While on a daily basis the authorities do not check whether you are registered, once it comes to extending your visa, if you have not registered since the last time you returned from abroad, you will have problems.
In case of changes to the registration items required for the foreign national’s residence permit, you should apply to the Exit-Entry Administration Department of Public Security Authorities under the local People’s Government at above county level of your place of residence, making corresponding changes within 10 days of the change in registration items.
